A long anticipated new ‘super surgery’ designed to meet the growing healthcare needs of Bicester will now not go ahead.

The plans put forward by Alchester Medical Group and Montgomery-House Surgery to relocate their GP practices to a new purpose-built health hub facility at Graven Hill, Bicester, are now considered unviable and are therefore not moving forward.

The practices’ development partner, Assura PLC, has concluded with regret that there is now clearly an inadequate level of funding available from NHS sources and therefore all Bicester health hub focused activity will cease.

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This dashes the hopes of the two GP practices that were due to move there and reopens major questions about how the town can provide for the large population increase expected in the years ahead.

In a joint statement, Dr Toby Quartley, a GP partner at Alchester Medical Group, and Dr Will O’Gorman, a GP partner at Montgomery-House Surgery, said: “This is sad news for the two GP practices, their patients and all who live in Bicester, who deserve and expect improved primary health facilities.

“Our practices have invested much time and energy to help provide a solution through the proposed health hub.

“Now this isn't possible, it turns to the local health service commissioners, the NHS and others, to see what they can come up with to help address the very serious pressures on Bicester healthcare - and to act soon.

“The practices are most grateful for the involvement of patients, local representatives and all who attended the many and various meetings and discussions on the hub over the years.

“The pressing need for a new, purpose-built, super GP surgery to serve existing Bicester patients and the town’s expected large population growth has been well acknowledged and remains one of the most pressing concerns for the local community and its representatives.

“However, with the hub no longer an option, our practices must now continue to provide healthcare for patients using the existing premises, which are already near to full capacity.”

Victoria Prentis said: “I am extremely disappointed to hear the Bicester health hub will not be going ahead.

“I know from my own conversations with the Bicester GPs that they had worked hard to draw up the proposals and get the necessary support during the planning process.

“We know the demand for health services in Bicester is increasing given the pace of growth in the town.

“I hope we will be able to work together in the months ahead to look at alternative options.

“We need to find a practical solution to ensure Bicester householders have full access to health services in the future.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1